Kobler leads Prospect to big rebound win
Senior nets hat trick after tough loss in home tournament
By Patrick Z. McGavin
MOUNT PROSPECT -- Aly Kobler just wanted to get back out there as quickly as possible. The worst thing is letting a loss linger in the consciousness. After a tough, almost inexplicable loss, having an immediate opportunity to make things right was almost too good to ignore.
Kobler scored twice in the first three minutes and added a third score for the dominant exclamation point as Prospect took down McHenry 6-0 in opening night of pool play of the Knights Invitational on Friday night.
“I think it was really needed,” Kobler said of her early flurry. “I think we just needed to come out and get that first one and from there it just kept coming. We needed that confidence.”
The opening night format consists of two three-team pools. Games are just 40 minutes. The format is challenging and creative. The compressed time allows for more upsets, given the innate advantages better teams are allowed to amass over a longer period of time.
The Knights opened pool play with exceptional promise as sophomore forward Kristin Schneider scored in the 10th minute against Elgin. Despite dominating possession time and offensive opportunities, the Knights watched the Maroons counter with a header off a corner kick in the 38th minute.
Pool play games move directly to the penalty kick format, where Elgin prevailed 5-4.
“I tip my hat to Elgin,” Prospect coach Tom Froats said. “They have been coming to this tournament for lots of years, and every year they get a little better. We were inside their box, and we had multiple opportunities where they blocked it or made the save. They earned the victory.”
In the interim of pool play, Elgin posted the comeback 2-1 win over McHenry. Prospect faced a Warriors team somewhat reeling from the late turn of events as well.
Kobler effectively put the game out of reach, putting the hammer down with goals in the second and third minutes, respectively. Her speed at the top of the attack created immediate problem for the Warriors’ backline.
A team that seemed undone and unable to finish against Elgin, Prospect (3-3-2) played with greater freedom and point of emphasis. Success begat more success, according to Kobler.
“When we play like that, when we come out with confidence like we did against McHenry, I think we are at our most fun,” she said. Kobler earned the Chicagoland Socer MVP of the Match distinction for her standout play.
Prospect is serious about the history of the invitational. The players see it as a chance to further refine and develop team chemistry. The players participate in their own ritual, like each player braiding their hair.
The opening night format proved a liberation.
“I know it’s different from what we are used to, but I don’t think that is a bad thing,” Kobler said. “It’s nice to be able to get out there and play again right away. We like to play quick and be fast, and this result, I hope, is going to give us enough energy to get through the rest of the week.”
McHenry (0-7-1) was dazed from the start. Kobler’s second goal was off a defender’s inadvertent touch.
“We had a rough loss to Elgin,” McHenry coach Andrew Stegenga said. Like Prospect in its game with the Maroons, McHenry scored first, in the fourth minute, on a sharp ball played by sophomore midfielder Lauren Pearson and failed to protect a lead.
“That was a backbreaker,” Stegenga said. “We are in flux right now. Our biggest issue is confidence. We need to get a win in order to build that and go from there.”
McHenry managed just one shot, from distance, by junior midfielder McKenna Burke.
“We just do not get a lot of girls to play soccer,” Stegenga said. “I had to pull up three kids just to have a team, because we are dealing with injuries.”
Prospect learned its lesson and went for the jugular, not allowing McHenry a chance. Sophomore forward Ella Marzolf built on Kobler’s hot start with another goal in the ninth minute.
The early goals allowed Prospect to establish a constant rhythm and shape to build off, a structural integrity the team followed through its logical extreme.
“The early goals helped us a great deal mentally,” Marzolf said. “It gave us the motivation, and it helped us dig deep and to be able to play the style we like, start from the back and build.”
Kobler recorded the hat trick in the 17th minute by deftly slicing through two Warrior defenders and finishing a short volley inside the near post from about 12 yards.
A four-year varsity starter, Kobler has the experience and savvy point of view every team relies on. The invitational is also a tribute to the sacrifices, time and effort put in by the seniors. The game turned into an appropriate showcase of her gifts.
Her dominant individual turn occasioned her own reflection on the team.
“I honestly think this year’s group is the best one we have had so far,” Kobler said. “This year’s group is fantastic. We have a solid group of seniors, which is something we don’t usually have. We all work very well together.”
Prospect never let up, even as Froats rotated different players into the game. Sophomore defender Marissa Valentini and senior midfielder Kendra Gancarz also scored for the Knights.
By the end the Elgin result was a distant memory.
“It was nice to attack because we were kind of back on our heels in the first game (against Elgin),” senior defender Grace Taldone said. “That has been our main problem this year, finishing and getting the ball in the center of the net. To come out like we did and get two right away really boosted our confidence.
“As you saw tonight we are getting better at finishing.”
Starting lineups
McHenry
GK: Jayden Dunn
D: Amber Brennan
D: Alyssa Shea
D: Brooke Enslow
D: Mireya Tejeda
D: Saharah Witte
MF: Kailey Lindholm
MF: Lauren Pearson
MF: Hailey Johnson
MF: McKenna Burke
F: Alexis Feurt
Prospect
GK: Meredith Nyborg
D: Madalyn Ladd
D: Marissa Valentini
D: Grace Taldone
D: Grace Johannesen
MF: Jalyn Mosley
MF: Kristina Suto
MF: Caroline Hajek
F: Aly Kobler
F: Ella Marzolf
F: Ashley Welk
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Aly Kobler, sr., F, Prospect
Senior nets hat trick after tough loss in home tournament
By Patrick Z. McGavin
MOUNT PROSPECT -- Aly Kobler just wanted to get back out there as quickly as possible. The worst thing is letting a loss linger in the consciousness. After a tough, almost inexplicable loss, having an immediate opportunity to make things right was almost too good to ignore.
Kobler scored twice in the first three minutes and added a third score for the dominant exclamation point as Prospect took down McHenry 6-0 in opening night of pool play of the Knights Invitational on Friday night.
“I think it was really needed,” Kobler said of her early flurry. “I think we just needed to come out and get that first one and from there it just kept coming. We needed that confidence.”
The opening night format consists of two three-team pools. Games are just 40 minutes. The format is challenging and creative. The compressed time allows for more upsets, given the innate advantages better teams are allowed to amass over a longer period of time.
The Knights opened pool play with exceptional promise as sophomore forward Kristin Schneider scored in the 10th minute against Elgin. Despite dominating possession time and offensive opportunities, the Knights watched the Maroons counter with a header off a corner kick in the 38th minute.
Pool play games move directly to the penalty kick format, where Elgin prevailed 5-4.
“I tip my hat to Elgin,” Prospect coach Tom Froats said. “They have been coming to this tournament for lots of years, and every year they get a little better. We were inside their box, and we had multiple opportunities where they blocked it or made the save. They earned the victory.”
In the interim of pool play, Elgin posted the comeback 2-1 win over McHenry. Prospect faced a Warriors team somewhat reeling from the late turn of events as well.
Kobler effectively put the game out of reach, putting the hammer down with goals in the second and third minutes, respectively. Her speed at the top of the attack created immediate problem for the Warriors’ backline.
A team that seemed undone and unable to finish against Elgin, Prospect (3-3-2) played with greater freedom and point of emphasis. Success begat more success, according to Kobler.
“When we play like that, when we come out with confidence like we did against McHenry, I think we are at our most fun,” she said. Kobler earned the Chicagoland Socer MVP of the Match distinction for her standout play.
Prospect is serious about the history of the invitational. The players see it as a chance to further refine and develop team chemistry. The players participate in their own ritual, like each player braiding their hair.
The opening night format proved a liberation.
“I know it’s different from what we are used to, but I don’t think that is a bad thing,” Kobler said. “It’s nice to be able to get out there and play again right away. We like to play quick and be fast, and this result, I hope, is going to give us enough energy to get through the rest of the week.”
McHenry (0-7-1) was dazed from the start. Kobler’s second goal was off a defender’s inadvertent touch.
“We had a rough loss to Elgin,” McHenry coach Andrew Stegenga said. Like Prospect in its game with the Maroons, McHenry scored first, in the fourth minute, on a sharp ball played by sophomore midfielder Lauren Pearson and failed to protect a lead.
“That was a backbreaker,” Stegenga said. “We are in flux right now. Our biggest issue is confidence. We need to get a win in order to build that and go from there.”
McHenry managed just one shot, from distance, by junior midfielder McKenna Burke.
“We just do not get a lot of girls to play soccer,” Stegenga said. “I had to pull up three kids just to have a team, because we are dealing with injuries.”
Prospect learned its lesson and went for the jugular, not allowing McHenry a chance. Sophomore forward Ella Marzolf built on Kobler’s hot start with another goal in the ninth minute.
The early goals allowed Prospect to establish a constant rhythm and shape to build off, a structural integrity the team followed through its logical extreme.
“The early goals helped us a great deal mentally,” Marzolf said. “It gave us the motivation, and it helped us dig deep and to be able to play the style we like, start from the back and build.”
Kobler recorded the hat trick in the 17th minute by deftly slicing through two Warrior defenders and finishing a short volley inside the near post from about 12 yards.
A four-year varsity starter, Kobler has the experience and savvy point of view every team relies on. The invitational is also a tribute to the sacrifices, time and effort put in by the seniors. The game turned into an appropriate showcase of her gifts.
Her dominant individual turn occasioned her own reflection on the team.
“I honestly think this year’s group is the best one we have had so far,” Kobler said. “This year’s group is fantastic. We have a solid group of seniors, which is something we don’t usually have. We all work very well together.”
Prospect never let up, even as Froats rotated different players into the game. Sophomore defender Marissa Valentini and senior midfielder Kendra Gancarz also scored for the Knights.
By the end the Elgin result was a distant memory.
“It was nice to attack because we were kind of back on our heels in the first game (against Elgin),” senior defender Grace Taldone said. “That has been our main problem this year, finishing and getting the ball in the center of the net. To come out like we did and get two right away really boosted our confidence.
“As you saw tonight we are getting better at finishing.”
Starting lineups
McHenry
GK: Jayden Dunn
D: Amber Brennan
D: Alyssa Shea
D: Brooke Enslow
D: Mireya Tejeda
D: Saharah Witte
MF: Kailey Lindholm
MF: Lauren Pearson
MF: Hailey Johnson
MF: McKenna Burke
F: Alexis Feurt
Prospect
GK: Meredith Nyborg
D: Madalyn Ladd
D: Marissa Valentini
D: Grace Taldone
D: Grace Johannesen
MF: Jalyn Mosley
MF: Kristina Suto
MF: Caroline Hajek
F: Aly Kobler
F: Ella Marzolf
F: Ashley Welk
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Aly Kobler, sr., F, Prospect